PINDOLOL AUGMENTATION OF ANTIDEPRESSANT THERAPY

Background Antidepressant therapy is not always effective and is slow to take effect. In theory, these shortfalls may be caused by induction of neuronal negative feedback via pre-synaptic 5-HT1A receptors. Pind olol, an antagonist at somatodentritic pre-synaptic 5-HT1A receptors h as been investigated as a potential accelerator and augmentor of antid epressant response. Method A Medline search was conducted in November 1997. Results Six open-label studies and six controlled studies were i dentified for review. Conclusions Open-label studies strongly suggest that pindolol may accelerate and augment antidepressant response. but controlled studies do not wholly support these findings: only three of six studies clearly demonstrate benefit. Larger, well-designed. contr olled trials are needed to determine definitively the effectiveness of pindolol in this context.